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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Tonight we are preparing to sail for Dubrovnik, Croatia. Our next port of call was to be Istanbul. Turkey but due to world events we were rerouted. I am looking forward to a new and interesting port of call, though I am very disappointed that we will miss out on Istanbul. I was very much excited to see it.

On another note, mailing postcards in Italy has proved to be an unachievable feat. So a few folks will be receiving Italian post cards with Croatian postmarks.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Today is our last day in port in Civitavecchia.Before you ask, yes, I took a train to Rome though I visited not a
single well known monument choosing instead to meander around a lesser known part of the city called
Trastevere.Here I encountered a giant
hill made entirely of discarded terra cotta olive jars, a church with a
beautiful black Madonna, the spot of Garibaldi’s
battle for Rome against the French and the tomb of those who died in the battle,
heard monks singing and ate one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.

I spent far more time in Civitavecchia where our ship is
docked.Civitavecchia is city well worth visiting for its own
sake.I strolled along the seaside where
I watched the sun set and took in an exhibit on Roman ship building.I ate a lot of delicious food, drank some
tasty wine and heard one of the more interesting cover bands I’ve had the
pleasure of encountering.

One of the highlights was stumbling upon a tiny church in
the old city known as The Church of the Star which is dedicated to Santa Maria
delle Grazie (Saint Mary of the Graces).It did not appear on any map and in fact I was actually looking for
another church,Santa Mariadell’Orazione e Morte (Saint Mary of the Prayer and Death), which actually
turned out to be closed.Though
disappointed I continued to wander my way through Civitavecchia’s old city, a
delight all on its own if you are here and have the time.I soon found myself in a small piazza with a
fountain and several cafes.

Tucked in the corner was stucco covered building with a
plain front.A single star hung high
over the door.My instincts told me that
despite its plain appearance this building was something special.I noted a sign the left of the door and
approached it.It explained that the
church was
was founded by the Archonfraternity of Gonfalone in 1688.Intrigued I stepped through the door.

Upon entering a short, older Italian woman appeared.We soon discovered we did not speak each
other’s language but she ushered me into the sanctuary with the motions of her
hands.I turned and stood to take it all
in.

I could describe in detail to you all that I saw in this
hidden sanctuary – the colorful paintings of Ennio Galice or the beautifully carved
wooden statue of St. Mary and child – but those are things that you can see in
the included photo or in person should you decide to make the trip.Instead I will tell you of the stillness of
the air and the sense of peace that permeated this small chapel.I will tell you how I sat for several minutes
just breathing in the quietness as though I could fill myself with it and tuck
some silence away for later.Unlike the
other larger churches, cathedrals and basilicas that I had visited no one else
entered while I sat in this place of meditation.

Anytime that I have
travelled these are the sorts of moments that always remain with me.One can journey to a faraway place and follow
the guidance of the tourist maps which will lead you to each well-loved
monument and landmark, and one should as the places are famous for a reason, but
be sure to allow yourself the time to wander, to make room for the unexpected
pleasures that come from an unplanned meander.This is where the treasures are.

__________

In other news we received the news yesterday that we will
not be visiting Istanbul, Turkey due to the Syrian crisis.Instead we will be spending that time in
Dobrovnik, Croatia, also an interesting destination.While I am disappointed that we are not
visiting Turkey I am looking forward to seeing what unexpected joys are to be
found in Dubrovnik.Between now and then
we have short stop in Naples and two days of classes.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

I'd been out of sorts all day. I had just hit send on an unhappy email to a friend about my struggles with homesickness, my complaints about the coffee and my frustration with the availability of so few quiet spots on the ship.

As I made my way up to Deck 7 to read, I was berating myself about how I should be excited and happy, wondering what might possibly be wrong with me that I could be on this ship traveling the Mediterranean, about to set foot in a country I've always wanted to visit and still find a reason to be gloomy. My eyes caught the light of the sky outside and I decided to step onto the outer deck to see if I might be in time to catch the sunset.

In that moment it ceased to matter what sort of day I had, what ocean I was on or where the ship was going. Before me were to two immense expanses of contrasting blue and a brilliant ball of fire hovering just above the horizon; its orange fire reflecting on neither sky nor sea. As I stood watching it sink beyond the horizon a single dolphin broke the water, one, two, three, four (?) times and disappeared.

I laughed. It might have been more of a giggle.

In what world outside of Hollywood do moments like that happen?

Mine it seems…

(PS - thank you to all for the comments left on previous posts. I'm unable to approve them until I have regular internet access again, which should be on Saturday. Thank you!)

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Check in was a slow and tedious process that involved more slow moving lines than I ever care to spend time in again. It seemed to take everyone by surprise, including the SAS staff but when I finally received my room key I found my bags were delivered as promised. While my accommodations are not the same as the wonderful cabin pictures shared on the FaceBook page, I do have a room to myself with plenty of space for me and my things. I have unpacked and settled in.

Our ship left port at 5:00PM London time; three hours earlier than originally planned. There is a storm the captain is hoping to keep ahead of. As I am writing this at 10:40PM the ship is rocking back and forth and, while I don't find it to be unmanageable, we are expected to have rougher seas tomorrow. There are a few students who are suffering from seasickness. Anti-nausea medication is being freely distributed as are barf bags.

After we set sail dinner was served. I could easily gain weight on this trip. All of the food we have been offered has been quite delicious. I do look forward to being in port and finding better coffee though.

I have been asked many times today by younger students if I am a professor. There are no other students my age on the ship. The lifelong learners so far seem to be far older than I but I am sure that in the coming days I will find common ground with some folks here. I've met a lot of people and while I don't recall many of their names all do seem personable and friendly.

I am about to head to my cabin to bed. I've never slept aboard a rocking and rolling ship before, though right now it does not feel that dissimilar to a slow moving train. I hope I continue to avoid sea sickness.

Thank you again to all who have wished me well and who have supported me in this journey. I do hope to hear from many of you by email. I admit that though it has been a scant 48 hours I am feeling some homesickness.

After 15 hours of travel, I have safely arrived in London with my bags and body intact! I spent the night at the Hilton International Heathrow Hotel. I admit that due to being exhausted from my journey I chose not to venture into the city but instead to stay here, rest, eat and take advantage of the opportunity to meet some of my fellow students. I had a restful evening. This morning I feel ready to begin.

In just a few short hours I will be stepping aboard the MV World Odyssey for the first time and beginning my three month long adventure around the world. An adventure I would not have been able to do without all of your support.

I am still feeling a bit astonished that this is all really happening. Back in November when I first applied to be a student of Semester at Sea, September seemed so far away. Ten months no longer seems all that long as day of departure has finally arrived. I am about to leave my hotel room to have breakfast after which I will recheck that my bags are set to go and soon after I will board the shuttlebus that will take me to Southampton and the ship.

I will be sending updates to all of you when I am in port. You can expect an email about every other week. You may also follow my journey at my blog, www.spinsterjane.com.

I am very happy to share my journey with all of you. Thank you once again for all of you love and support.

Friday, September 11, 2015

I am waiting at the JetBlue gate at the Portland Jetport. My flight leaves in about 90 minutes. It's quiet here today and so far things have gone smoothly. My bags were checked, the security check went very smoothly. I thought ahead and took my ceramic doumbec out of the bag, removed all of the underwear and socks I had stuffed into it and showed the TSA agent that it was indeed a hollow drum.

If you asked me what I was feeling right now I'd tell you I am definitely feeling fear, some excitement but mostly I'm experiencing a sense of disbelief that this is actually happening. Once I am aboard my flight I won't be returning to Portland, Maine for nearly four months. Everyone tells me that the experience is going to be great, once in a lifetime and life changing. It will likely be all of those things; I hope it will be all of those things.

It is still however a great unknown. I've never crossed the Atlantic by air or sea, I've never spent the night on a ship, I've never been to any of the countries I'm about to visit. I know no one aboard the ship personally. What lies ahead is mostly a great blank space of yet to happen experience.

When I sent in my application to Semester at Sea all of those months ago I gave little thought to what this day would be like. It seemed too impossible and too far away. I've had little time to think about it in the past few weeks and now the day is here. This is happening. Three and a half months, ten countries, 12 ports, 550 students, one big ship called World Odyssey and me...

Jane is...

….artist, writer, dancer, poet, teacher and dedicated over achiever. I am currently living in a small Maine city with my cat and four roommates. I'm basically happy, but not yet content. This is my life...